Whether it’s Doja Cat shaving off her eyebrows or Justin Baldoni explaining whatever it is he has going on with Blake Lively, anything can happen when you go live. That’s what makes it so engrossing for viewers and potentially nerve-racking for creators. Influencers often have meticulously crafted personas, and going live might seem to fly in the face of that hyper-curated front. Here’s how to go live on Instagram—without getting eaten alive.
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One of the most popular places to go live is on Instagram (it’s an app; you may have heard of it). Instagram Live is a feature within Instagram Stories that allows users to broadcast live video to their followers. True to its name, IG Live happens in real time, letting viewers comment, ask questions, and react as the video unfolds.
When you go live, your followers receive a notification and can join instantly. During the live broadcast, you can see and interact with viewer comments and bring others into your live using a split-screen. The content is really up to you (within limits, which we’ll discuss soon).
Once the session ends, you can either discard the video or share a replay to your Instagram profile for others to view later.
As we mentioned, going live on any forum can be stressful. Unlike a premade video, you have to think on your feet, and you can’t rely on the edit to remove awkward pauses or flubs. So why put yourself through it?
- Boost engagement: Going live creates a sense of urgency and exclusivity. Simply receiving an Instagram Live notification makes people more likely to tune in, since they know something is happening now. Plus, the interactive nature of IG Live encourages real-time engagement through likes and comments.
- Build trust via authenticity: Unlike polished photos and curated stories, going live is raw and unedited. This can be scary, but that authenticity will build trust with your audience, allowing them to see the real person or brand behind the account.
- Expand reach: Instagram often prioritizes live videos in the feed and on the Stories carousel. When you go live, your profile is pushed to the front of your followers’ Stories, increasing the chance of discovery.
Understanding Instagram’s Algorithm: How to Make Sure Your Content Is Seen
Going live on IG is pretty simple. But there are some requirements you need to meet before you can start broadcasting to the world and become Instagram famous.
- An Instagram account: Pretty obvious, but this is still worth mentioning. You’ll need an Instagram account that is over 30 days old and not restricted or banned.
- Camera and microphone permissions: Did you turn off IG’s microphone access because it’s giving you eerily relevant ads? Well, unfortunately you can’t go live if Instagram can’t access your camera or mic. So make sure you’ve gone to your settings to grant those permissions.
- Updated Instagram app: Your Instagram app typically needs to be up-to-date. New features and bug fixes are regularly added, and having the latest version guarantees better performance and access to all current tools.
- A compatible device: Instagram Live is available only on the mobile app, not on desktop. Make sure your smartphone supports the latest version of Instagram and has a functioning camera and microphone.
You’ve got all the tools. Now, what exactly do you do? Fear not: Going live is relatively straightforward.
1. Open the Instagram app.
Launch the app on your phone and log into your account if you’re not already logged in.
2. Access the Live option.
Tap the plus icon or swipe right from your home feed to open the Story camera. At the bottom of the screen, swipe through the options until you see Live.
3. Set a title (optional but recommended).
Tap the left-hand icon (usually a lined text icon) to add a title to your live video. This helps viewers understand what your broadcast is about.
4. Check your settings.
Use the settings icon (a gear or three dots) to manage who can see your live video, who can comment, and whether you want to auto-save the broadcast.
5. Go live.
It’s time! Take a deep breath, then tap the circular Live button to begin broadcasting. Instagram will check your connection and then start the live video after a short countdown.
6. Engage with viewers.
Say hello, respond to questions, and interact with viewers in real time.
7. End the broadcast.
When you’re ready to wrap up, tap the X in the top corner, then confirm to end the live video.
8. Save or share the replay.
After ending the session, Instagram gives you the option to save the video to your camera roll or share it to your Stories or profile.
Just because you’ve met the requirements doesn’t guarantee you’ll have a successful live outing. To maximize your reach, you’ll need to understand Instagram’s algorithm and use it to your advantage. Here are a few tips to get people to visit your broadcast and stay on it.
- Plan ahead: While going live is spontaneous by nature, a bit of planning goes a long way. Decide what you’re going to talk about, prepare key points, and, if needed, rehearse.
- Promote: Let your followers know when you’ll be going live. Post a teaser on your Stories or feed, or set a countdown sticker so followers can get reminders. Then your broadcast can start with a bang.
- Choose the right time: Go live when your audience is most active. Use Instagram Insights to find peak times when your followers are online.
- Use a tripod or stand: Shaky footage is hard to watch for a long period of time. A tripod or phone stand will free up your hands and give your broadcast a more professional look.
- Light it up: Natural light is great, but if you’re indoors, consider using a ring light or other lighting equipment to ensure you’re clearly visible.
- Interact: Say hello to viewers as they join, answer questions, and read comments aloud. This makes your session interactive and helps build community.
- Invite a guest: Collaborate with another user by inviting them to join your live. This not only adds variety but can expand your reach to their followers, too.
- Pin a comment: Leave a pinned comment at the top of your chat that explains the subject of your live post. This is especially helpful for people who join late and want to know what’s going on.
- Monitor the comments: If you’re expecting a lot of viewers, consider having someone help moderate the chat so you can focus on delivering your content.
- Save and share the replay: Once your real-time stream is over, save the video to your device and post it to your feed or IGTV. That way, people who missed the session can still benefit from it. If you don’t like how it went, don’t worry—you can discard it (just remember that some of your viewers will likely record it themselves, and the internet is forever).
Going live might feel like a scary step in the long road to becoming an Instagram influencer. But most people with content creator jobs see it as necessary to expand their audience and build loyalty with their current followers. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make mistakes—after all, that’s what makes people tune into live videos.